Overcoming Stage Fright

Use ¨Stage Fright¨ to answer questions 1-5.

Read these lines from the poem.

¨I memorized each line.

Learned them by heart.¨

The poet uses the figurative expression ¨learned them by heart¨ to emphasize that the speaker -

• F. has volunteered to be in the play

• G. practices on the stage

• H. enjoys playing the role of the prince

• J. feels prepared for his performance

The poet uses line 11 to signal that the speaker changes from -

• A. cheerful to sad

• B. interested to bored

• C. confident to unsure

• D. desperate to hopeful

In line 3, why does the poet repeat and italicize the words from line 2?

• F. To show that the role will be difficult

• G, To emphasize that this role is important to the speaker

• H. To show that hte speaker is familiar with the play

• J. To give the name of the play the speaker is in

The poem is mostly about a speaker who -

• A. is chosen for a role in a play that he doesn´t understand

• B. has trouble with his lines after seeing his classmates in the audience

• C. experiences problems onstage but is able to finish his performance

• D. can hardly wait to be onstage because he has practiced so much.

The poet uses figurative language in line 18 to highlight the speaker´s -

• F. determination to do well

• G. anxiety once he gets onstage

• H. satisfaction in being chosen for the role

• J. eagerness to perform

Use "Fear Takes Center Stage" to answer questions 6-9.

Which of these best expresses the main idea of paragraph 5?

• A. eating certain foods can help prevent stage fright

• B. stage fright affects people who do not practice their performance

• C. Wearing the proper clothing can help relieve stage fright

• D. Stage fright can be overcome by using several strategies

The author speaks directly to the reader in paragraphs 1 and 2 in order to -

• F. encourage the reader to try out for a play

• G, share a personal story with the reader

• H, help the reader understand the experience of stage fright

• J. demonstrate that acting requires skill

Read this dictionary entry.

strike verb

to hit with a hand or an object to crash against to affect suddenly to come to an agreement

Which definition best matches the word strike as it is used in paragraph 3?

• A. Definition 1

• B. Definition 2

• C. Definition 3

• D. Definition 4

The author´s opinion that stage fright can be overcome is best supported by -

• F. the reaction of Mariah Carey´s fans

• G. Mariah Carey´s experience

• H. the description of how a body reacts to stress

• J. information about the source of stage fright

Use "Stage Fright" and "Fear Takes Center Stage" to answer questions 10-13.

Both selections suggest that stage fright can —

• A. happen even when a person wants to perform

• B. permanently affect a person’s health

• C. get better when an audience shows support

• D. be worse for actors than for other types of performers